Basketball coach Eduard Sandler dies in jet ski crash in Vladivostok

Eduard Sandler, president and head coach of the Dynamo Vladivostok basketball club, died on the night of July 27–28, 2026, after a jet ski collision near Cape Burny in Vladivostok. The 44-year-old was traveling at high speed when his jet ski struck a dam and rocks. He died at the scene before emergency services arrived.

Sandler was a prominent figure in Far Eastern Russian basketball. Born on October 31, 1981, in Vladivostok, he graduated from Vladivostok State University of Economics and Service in 2006 with a law degree. In 2007, he founded SportMarketingGroup, an event organization company, and became the representative of the Russian Street Basketball Association for the Far Eastern Federal District. His coaching career gained recognition in 2011 when, in his first season as head coach of Spartak-Primorye, he led the team to silver medals in the Superleague and bronze in the Russian Cup. Over five years with the club, he won six national championship and cup medals.

Sandler later worked with PFK Sakhalin on Sakhalin Island, where in 2015–2016 the team won the Superleague (6+). He also founded and coached Vostok-65. In 2021, he returned to Vladivostok as director of Dynamo, subsequently becoming head coach. Under his leadership, Dynamo qualified for the VTB United League (6+) in June 2026, marking the team's first appearance in the competition. The club's press office confirmed his death and expressed condolences to his family and the sports community.

According to reports from 2016, Sandler was convicted of embezzlement of budget funds in connection with work at Spartak-Primorye. He received a two-year prison sentence but was released on parole within one year. Sports organizations in Vladivostok, including the Amur hockey club, expressed solidarity in grief over his death.